John Makdessi

John Makdessi
Born May 3, 1985
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Other names The Bull
Residence Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Nationality Canadian
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight 155 lb (70 kg; 11.1 st)
Division Lightweight
Reach 68.0 in (173 cm)
Fighting out of Laval, Quebec, Canada
Team Tristar Gym, Team Bull
Rank Black belt in Shotokan Karate[1]
Black belt in Tae Kwon Do
Years active 2008–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total 16
Wins 13
By knockout 9
By decision 4
Losses 3
By submission 1
By decision 2
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

John Makdessi (born May 3, 1985) is a Canadian professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Makdessi has been a professional MMA competitor since 2008, competing mostly in Canada. Makdessi is also the president of the MMA apparel brand Fear the Fighter.

Mixed martial arts career

Background

Makdessi was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada on May 3, 1985 and is a first-generation Lebanese-Canadian born to Lebanese parents.[2] His martial arts training started with Tae Kwon Do at the age of 6.[1] When John started high school though, his dojang closed, and he could no longer continue. Towards the end of highschool at the age of 17, he found a Karate Dojo. Makdessi spent a lot of his time competing in Kickboxing tournaments, and in 2006 won a gold medal in the USKBA. After going 22-0 in Kickboxing,[1] John started training for Mixed Martial Arts.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Makdessi signed with the UFC in 2010, making his promotional debut on December 11, 2010 at UFC 124 in Montreal against Pat Audinwood.[3] Despite his obvious height and reach disadvantage, Makdessi was able to dominate Audinwood with inventive kicks, whilst also being able to stop Audinwood's attacks effectively. After three rounds, Makdessi was declared the winner via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26).

Makdessi was expected to face TUF 12 winner Jonathan Brookins on April 30, 2011 at UFC 129.[4] However, Brookins was pulled from the bout and Makdessi instead faced another TUF 12 alum in Kyle Watson.[5] Makdessi defeated Watson via KO due to a spinning backfist in the third round.

Makdessi was expected to face Paul Taylor on August 14, 2011 at UFC on Versus 5.[6] However, Makdessi was forced from the bout with an injury.[7]

Makdessi faced Dennis Hallman on December 10, 2011 at UFC 140.[8] Hallman was able to take Makdessi to the ground early in the opening round and land multiple strikes from Makdessi's back before securing a fight ending rear naked choke, giving Makdessi the first loss of his career.

Makdessi fought fellow striker Anthony Njokuani on April 21, 2012 at UFC 145.[9] Makdessi lost the fight via unanimous decision.[10]

Makdessi next faced Sam Stout on November 17, 2012 at UFC 154.[11] He defeated Stout via unanimous decision.

Makdessi then fought Daron Cruickshank at UFC 158 on March 16, 2013.[12] He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Makdessi was expected to face Edson Barboza on July 6, 2013 at UFC 162.[13] However, Makdessi, pulled out of the bout citing an injury and was replaced by Rafaello Oliveira.[14]

Makdessi faced Renée Forte on September 21, 2013 at UFC 165.[15] He won the fight by knockout in the first round.

Makdessi faced Alan Patrick at UFC 169 on February 1, 2014.[16] Makdessi lost the fight via unanimous decision.[17]

Makdessi was expected to face Abel Trujillo on April 25, 2015 at UFC 186.[18] However on April 1, it was announced that Trujillo had pulled out of the fight citing an injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer Shane Campbell.[19] Makdessi won the fight via TKO in the first round.[20]

Makdessi is expected to fill in as a short notice replacement against Donald Cerrone on May 23, 2015 at UFC 187, replacing Khabib Nurmagomedov.[21]

Fear the Fighter Sponsorship Controversy

Makdessi is listed as the president of the MMA apparel brand Fear the Fighter, which has sponsored several MMA and UFC fighters. Since 2014, a number of fighters have come forward with complaints, alleging that Fear the Fighter had failed to pay their respective sponsorship fees. Erick Apple, Akira Corassani, Tim Elliott, John Dodson, Georgi Karakhanyan, and Gegard Mousasi have publicly made such allegations. In April 2015, Gegard Mousasi's management team stated that they had filed a lawsuit against Makdessi and Fear the Fighter due to their alleged failure to pay the outstanding debt owed to Mousasi.[22]

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 13–3 Shane Campbell TKO (punches) UFC 186 April 25, 2015 1 4:53 Montreal, Quebec, Canada Catchweight (160 lbs) bout.
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 12–3 Alan Patrick Decision (unanimous) UFC 169 February 1, 2014 3 5:00 Newark, New Jersey, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 12–2 Renée Forte KO (punches) UFC 165 September 21, 2013 1 2:01 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 11–2 Daron Cruickshank Decision (unanimous) UFC 158 March 16, 2013 3 5:00 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 10–2 Sam Stout Decision (unanimous) UFC 154 November 17, 2012 3 5:00 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 9–2 Anthony Njokuani Decision (unanimous) UFC 145 April 21, 2012 3 5:00 Atlanta, Georgia, United States Catchweight (158 lbs) bout; Makdessi missed weight.
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 9–1 Dennis Hallman Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 140 December 10, 2011 1 2:58 Toronto, Ontario, Canada Catchweight (158.5 lbs) bout; Hallman missed weight.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 9–0 Kyle Watson KO (spinning back fist) UFC 129 April 30, 2011 3 1:27 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 8–0 Pat Audinwood Decision (unanimous) UFC 124 December 11, 2010 3 5:00 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 7–0 Bendy Casimir Decision (unanimous) Mixed Fight League 3 September 25, 2010 3 5:00 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 6–0 Lindsey Hawkes TKO (punches) Canadian Fighting Championship 4 February 26, 2010 2 4:59 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 5–0 Brandon McArthur TKO (doctor stoppage) Ringside MMA: Rivalry November 14, 2009 1 5:00 Drummondville, Quebec, Canada
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 4–0 Iraj Hadin TKO (punches) Ringside MMA: Rage Fighting August 22, 2009 2 4:48 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 3–0 Amir Uddin TKO (punches) XMMA 7: Inferno February 27, 2009 2 3:06 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 2–0 Dan Dechaine TKO (punches) XMMA 6: House of Pain November 8, 2008 1 1:48 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 1–0 Todd Westcott TKO (punches) XMMA 5: It's Crow Time September 13, 2008 1 3:06 Montreal, Quebec, Canada

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Thomas Gerbasi (December 8, 2010). "John Makdessi - Express Yourself". UFC.com.
  2. ↑ Cage Potato Interview: John Makdessi Wants Jaws to Drop When He Fights
  3. ↑ "Undefeated John Makdessi octagon-bound, meets Pat Audinwood at UFC 124". mmajunkie.com. 2010-10-14.
  4. ↑ "MacDonald-Wilks, Brookins-Makdessi added to UFC 129 in Toronto". bloodyelbow.com. January 4, 2010.
  5. ↑ "John Makdessi meets Kyle Watson, not Jonathan Brookins, at UFC 129". mmajunkie.com. January 11, 2011.
  6. ↑ "John Makdessi vs. Paul Taylor In The Works for UFC on Versus 5". mmafrenzy.com. June 3, 2011.
  7. ↑ "John Makdessi injured, forced out of UFC on Versus 5 bout with Paul Taylor". mmajunkie.com. June 25, 2011.
  8. ↑ "Dennis Hallman and John Makdessi agree to UFC 140 matchup in Toronto". MMAJunkie.com. 2011-09-09.
  9. ↑ "UFC 145; seven bouts shift to Atlanta". mmajunkie.com. January 20, 2012.
  10. ↑ Staff (2012-04-21). "UFC UFC 145 results: Anthony Njokuani tops John Makdessi via unanimous decision". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2012-04-21.
  11. ↑ Staff (September 7, 2012). "John Makdessi vs. Sam Stout added to UFC 154". mmajunkie.com.
  12. ↑ "Makdessi Set To Face Cruickshank At UFC 158". topmmanews.com. January 5, 2013.
  13. ↑ Staff (April 12, 2013). "UFC 162 adds lightweights Edson Barboza vs. John Makdessi". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved April 12, 2013.
  14. ↑ Ariel Helwani (2013-05-30). "Edson Barboza faces Rafaello Oliveira at UFC 162 following John Makdessi injury". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2013-05-30.
  15. ↑ Staff (2013-07-23). "John Makdessi vs. Renee Forte added to UFC 165 in Toronto". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-07-23.
  16. ↑ Guilherme Cruz (2013-12-10). "John Makdessi vs. Alan Patrick added to UFC 169". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2013-12-10.
  17. ↑ Ben Fowlkes (2014-02-01). "UFC 169 results, photos: Alan Patrick outguns John Makdessi for decision win". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-02-01.
  18. ↑ Sean Bio (2015-02-05). "Abel Trujillo meets John Makdessi at UFC 186 in Montreal". cagepages.com. Retrieved 2015-02-05.
  19. ↑ Mike Bohn and John Morgan (2015-04-01). "Shane Campbell replaces injured Abel Trujillo against John Makdessi at UFC 186". mmajunkie.com.
  20. ↑ Ben Fowlkes (2015-04-25). "UFC 186 results: John Makdessi eats some kicks, then brutalizes Shane Campbell". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-04-25.
  21. ↑ Marc Raimondi (2015-04-30). "Fresh off TKO win, John Makdessi gets call to replace Khabib Nurmagomedov against Donald Cerrone". mmafighting.com.
  22. ↑ Zane Simon (2015-04-25). "Gegard Mousasi taking John Makdessi and Fear the Fighter to court". bloodyelbow.com.

External links